Record number of black bears killed in state

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia hunters killed a record number of black bears last year during the archery and firearms seasons.The Division of Natural Resources says the 2,683 black bears killed represented a 34 percent increase from 2011. It's also 12 percent higher than the previous record set in 2010.The DNR says the numbers were buoyed by an abundant mast supply, an additional two weeks of archery hunting and multiple counties being open for a September firearms hunt.

Hunters killed 746 bears during the archery season and 1,937 during various firearm seasons.